University of Oklahoma MD gets Ethics Reprimand

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma ethics panel has reprimanded a University of Oklahoma doctor for accepting money from a company registered as a lobbying principal with the state.

The Oklahoman reports that the state Ethics Commission voted unanimously Friday to admonish Dr. Damian Laber.

According to the discipline report, Laber took $27,800 in speaking fees from Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Agency in 2010.

Laber says he was unaware of a $100 annual limit that a state employee can receive from companies that hire lobbyists and provide money to buy things of value to influence state employees and legislators.